Deliberative Democracy

Deliberative democracy is a growing strand of democratic theory and practice. At its core, deliberative democracy is a theory of democratic legitimacy grounded in inclusive, reasoned, and reflective discussion (Ercan et al., 2019). Deliberation involves exchange of reasons among free and equal citizens who justify their positions, engage respectfully with opposing viewpoints, and reflect on their preferences in light of better arguments or new information (Caluwaerts & Reuchamps, 2015). It emphasizes the capacity and competence of ordinary citizens, not just elites, to reason together and address complex societal problems (Chambers, 2018). While deliberative democracy emphasizes a talk-centric approach, it places equal importance on listening, reflection, and the associated practices and institutions (Aitamurto & Landemore, 2016; Ercan et al., 2019). It also makes room for nonverbal forms of communication, such as visuals (Mendonça et al., 2022).